Hahndorf Scores with Guest Appearance
In a high quality encounter, Hahndorf triumphed 2-1 over a fast finishing Adelaide University in the 5th round of the South Australian Amateur Soccer League 3rd Division.
The match got underway in sparkling sunshine, with Hahndorf on the front foot through Leo Santangelo and Dan Holland, the strikers a focal point of midfielders Alex Chapman, Jack Farrimond, Steve Noble and Kayne Stubing. Nathaniel Brooke took command between the sticks, behind a defensive line of Matt Medley, Jon Lynn, Luke Guest and Scott Taylor.
An even twenty minutes opened the game as both sides sought to exploit the opposition defence and control the midfield. However, clear chances were rare with Adelaide University’s best chance being denied by Lynn making ground to stop a shot after Brooke had been rounded.
Holland answered for the Magpies after a flowing move involving Farrimond and Santangelo, but the University ‘keeper was in good position to make the save. Hahndorf then made some useful ground, holding the ball in their attacking half and gaining several corners.
A free kick from the flank provided the opening goal for Hahndorf, Holland whipping the ball in and the University ‘keeper was unable to hold the cross. Stubing pounced on the loose ball but could not get a shot away and it fell to Guest, the mobile defender drilling it into the far corner of the goal.
The Magpies maintained their lead to half time with the help of some excellent defence from Lynn, Medley, Guest and Taylor as the visitors tried to even the score before the break.
The second half was much the same as the first, a tight tussle with both defences on giving little away. Stubing went close with a header, but it flashed past the wrong side of the back post. Adelaide then put Hahndorf under pressure, pinning the Magpies back with a series of corners, but the home team defended well under the stress.
Several times Stubing launched Hahndorf into attack, striding down the flank to deliver some fine crosses, Santangelo getting on the end of one and unlucky to see his header go over the bar. Guest also missed the target with his header, before going on a scything run to release Santangelo, who in turn found Holland, his goal-bound shot drawing an acrobatic tip over the bar from the University ‘keeper.
Eventually Hahndorf’s pressure produced the second goal, Holland delivering a deep free that was gathered by Guest out wide. Deceiving his marker, Guest unleashed a fierce drive from a sharp angle, the shot unstoppable as it speared into the top corner despite the ‘keeper getting a hand on it.
Hahndorf made several substitutions, bringing on Gilbert Ward and Chris Sawers as the Magpies looked to consolidate their lead. With the Hahndorf defence largely on top for most of the game, Lynn conspicuous with his timely interceptions, Adelaide University sparked a torrid final ten minutes when they scored.
A long ball was gathered by the visiting forward who shot, Brooke’s parry unable to keep the ball rolling toward goal and as four players converged, University were able to bundle it in. Adelaide University upped the tempo looking for an equaliser, but the Magpies responded well, the defence calm under examination.
A yellow card was given out to a University player when he theatrically fell in the penalty area, confirming calls from a spectator suggesting the offender was clearly a first year drama student with much to learn.
Hahndorf had a chance to put the game beyond reach with a slick move that left Holland with a shot after Santangelo’s lay off, but his strike went narrowly wide. Both teams were desperate for possession in the dwindling minutes but could not breech the respective defences, who held firm to the final whistle.
Best on the day for Hahndorf was Luke Guest, a double strike to the central defender underlining his versatility at both ends of the park. He was assisted by Jon Lynn, the club stalwart a rock in leading the defence with Dan Holland also putting in a sterling game all day.
Reserves
The Hahndorf Reserves fought out a highly contestable scoreless draw in a match of few clear chances with both teams in fine form at the back.
Adelaide University had the early running from kick off and put the defence of Kyle Eglinton, Andy Craig, Mike Lewington and Gilbert Ward under scrutiny. Despite their intent, the University side created few chances to trouble Magpie custodian James Nicholson and the hosts started to work their way into the match.
Midfielders John Lawler, Colin Hibbert, Chris Sawers and Max Gordon-Edwards began to influence the play, although Hahndorf too had trouble creating chances through their strikers, Jesse Konstantinoff and Jordan Webber.
Both teams had periods of domination but could do little to make it count on the score board, the respective defences working hard to deny any easy chances. Several corners to Hahndorf were not capitalised on, with efforts going wide as the home team tried to prise open the University side.
The arm wrestle continued into the second half, the defence of Eglinton and Lewington crucial in keeping Adelaide University to a few, ineffective long shots. Ward and Sawers worked well to restrict the visitors, while Webber and Konstantinoff were busy in attack but could not find a way through the defence.
Rupert “the Enforcer “Lindon and Ben “Beninho” Wells entered the fray during the half with Hahndorf hoping the injection of fresh legs would generate a goal. The Magpies best chance fell to Konstantinoff, chasing a bouncing ball he lifted his shot over the advancing ‘keeper but it went just wide of goal.
Several late free kicks to the Adelaide side put Hahndorf under pressure at the back but they responded well, the defence not giving an inch in the cauldron of battle. The combatants had to settle for a share of the points with no goals scored despite the entertaining and high quality displayed by both teams.
Best on the day for Hahndorf was Kyle Eglinton for his comprehensive effort in defence, aided by big Mike Lewington who won most of his contested challenges. Gilbert Ward also put in a solid game, cutting out many University attacks and often putting Hahndorf on the counter attack.
Super Cs
In a pulsating encounter, the Hahndorf Div5 Cs trailed twice before scoring a second half winner to take the points over the visiting Vipers. After the Vipers went a goal up, Sam Wood equalised with a stunning volley from Luke Jones’ throw, the shot rocketing into the bottom corner of the net.
The Vipers once again took the lead, only for Scott Schubert to fire in the reply from the edge of the area, squeezing a scintillating shot between two players to complete an entertaining first half. An even second half turned Hahndorf’s way, with Owen “the Black Pearl” Boyce’s penalty trickling over the line after the Vipers ‘keeper almost saved the spot kick.
The Div 4 Cs were not so lucky, but put in a brave performance as the depleted eight man team went down 4-1 to the Dragon Rangers. A highlight for Hahndorf was the equalising goal at 1-1, Kieran Guest emulating his brother’s efforts with a spectacular drive from distance to find the top corner of net.
Next week, Hahndorf once again host a triple-header at the Pine avenue arena, bragging rights on the line when the First and Reserve teams contest the local derby against Mt Barker. The Div 5 Cs start the days action at 11am when they take on Sturt Marion while the Div 4 Cs host Greenock at Mylor for their 3pm kick off.
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